Funk Mode, Undiscovered Funk Gems from the Far Corners of the Globe

The album Funk Move, Undiscovered Funk Gems from the Far Corners of the Globe is clearly what it advertizes: The album is foreign funk at its best. Ranging from European tracks to one of the best Japanese tracks, Funk Mode is an album that would complement the funk greats.

There is something good about each of the tracks on this album. Out of all the tracks, I was blown away by the Japanese track, "Yama Yama." It starts off with the stereotypical Asian gong, and chorus of what sound like children, but has the great usage of funk guitars. The tribal-like yells are sounds that you just don't hear on a funk album. Other standouts include "Ua Ua Rock," for its groovy, almost Doors-like '60s sound, and the smooth "Indian Enmars."

Even though all the songs are performed by different artists, the whole album is a breeze to listen to from beginning to end. The order is paced well and the use of instruments creates a different angle for funk songs. One doesn't normally hear things like mandolins in funk music and it is a welcome variation. For a compilation soundtrack, the art on the album is beautiful and fits the tone of the album; the '70s color scheme with the sexy, almost silhouetted women is exactly what one wants for this album.

There is a little bit of a quality issue on some of the tracks where they sound muffled, but this makes the album even more authentic. There were no real digital improvements; one could almost hear the crackle of a needle passing the grooves of a record. This almost dirty sound is a fresh counterpart to the overproduced tracks of today and doesn't need fixing.

This funk album will bring you back to the mindset of the prime time of funk. It's a beautiful time capsule of how other nations reacted to the funk movement. There are similarities to American funk but the inclusion of national instruments creates a stunning sound.

Track Listing:
1. Old Man - Blackbusters
2. Bu Bu - Arp Lif
3. Love Like a Man - Helmuth Brandenburg Orchestra
4. Yama Yama - Yamasuki
5. Bez Metalu - Orchestra Hjenryk Debich
6. Ua Ua Rock - Billy & Friends
7. Le Cuple - Erotissma
8. Wild Flower - Les Mogol
9. Red Lamp - Daniele Patucchi
10. Aventura - Jose Roberto
11. Viva Bass & Drums - Max Middleton
12. Put Everything Together - Plus
13. Zorongo - Santisteban
14. Easy Evil - Frits Kaate & Jeanette Corde
15. Indian Enmars - Daniele Patucchi
16. Orientale Contemplatino - Rino De FIlip